A anti-microbial composition includes an effective amount of an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family, a surfactant, and optionally an essential oil. To disinfect an object using the anti-microbial composition, the anti-microbial composition is brought into contact with the object. The composition of the invention may be used in the form of packaged towelettes, which are saturated with the composition of the invention. The composition is effective in disinfecting objects contaminated with anthrax, pneumococci, straphylococci, streptococci, tuberculi and a variety of fungi.

5. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein between 0.1 oz. to 0.5 oz. of said tree oil is included in every 10 oz. of said composition, based on dry weight.

6. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surfactant is soap.

7. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein an equivalence of said extract of between 0.2 oz. and 5 oz. of said plant is included in every 10 oz. of said composition, based on dry weight.

8. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein an equivalence of said extract of between 0.8 oz. and 2 oz. of said plant is included in every 10 oz. of said composition, based on dry weight.

12. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 11, wherein between 0.1 oz. to 0.5 oz. of said tree oil is included in every 10 oz. of said composition, based on dry weight.

13. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said surfactant is soap.

14. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein an equivalence of said extract of between 0.2 oz. and 5 oz. of said plant is included in every 10 oz. of said composition, based on dry weight.

15. A anti-microbial composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein an equivalence of said extract of between 0.8 oz. and 2 oz. of said plant is included in every 10 oz. of said composition based on dry weight.

The invention relates to anti-microbial compositions and methods of using them. More particularly, the present invention relates to an anti-microbial compositions and method of using them to against microbial contamination.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Anti-bacterial cleansing compositions have been widely sold as household products for many years. They are generally used to disinfect household utensils and other household goods. For example, International patent publication WO 95/09605 toDesai discloses a disinfectant cleansing composition containing an alkyl glycoside and a phenolic compound. However, the disinfectant composition of Desai is only disclosed as being effective against common household bacteria such as E. coli,Staphylococcus aureus and Kleb. Pneumoniae.

Anthrax is resistant to most conventional anti-bacterial compositions. Currently, the primary method to disinfect objects contaminated with anthrax is treating these objects with hazardous chemicals such as chorine dioxide or ozone.

The present invention employs extracts of plant of the Ranunculaceae family. One member of this family of plants, Ranunculus acris, has been used to treat headaches by applying the scent of the leaves or juice from the leaves to the nostrils. However, Ranunculus acris is generally considered to be toxic and should not be taken internally unless skillfully combined with other plants or ingredients. The juice of Ranunculus acris may also cause blisters and it also has been reported that atleast one person experienced fever and intense inflammation as a result of the application of a significant quantity of Ranunculus acris to the limbs. As a result, little consideration has been given to the potential therapeutic applications of plantsof the Ranunculaceae family.

There is still a need for a more effective anti-microbial composition that can disinfect microbial contamination without relying on hazardous chemicals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To fulfill the above need, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a composition including an effective amount of an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family; and a surfactant.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of disinfecting an object including the step of contacting the object with a composition comprising an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family.

In other aspects, the present invention provides a variety of products including a substrate; and a solution comprising a surfactant and an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family.

For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In a first aspect, the invention provides a composition including an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family, and a surfactant.

An extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family may be prepared using any suitable, well-known extraction method. Such extraction methods are within the common general knowledge of skilled persons. For example, an exemplary extraction methodincludes the steps of:

1) cleaning the plant to remove any foreign matter thereon;

2) particulating the plant to obtain a particulate mass having particle size ranging from 0.001 to about 10 mm.sup.3 ; and

3) contacting the particulate mass with at least one suitable solvent to obtain one or more separate fractions of the plant extract soluble in the at least one solvent, and

4) mixing the fraction so obtained to obtain a plant extract.

For instance, in the case of a buttercup plant such as Ranunculus acris, the method may include some or all of the steps of:

1) cleaning the buttercup plant to remove any foreign matter thereon;

2) particulating the plant to obtain a particulate mass having particle size ranging from 0.001 to about 10 mm.sup.3 ;

4) cooking or steeping the particulate mass in a first solvent, such as water to solubilize material in the particulate mass to obtain a first solution and a first residue; and

5) filtering the first solution from the first residue and using the first solution as the extract in the composition of the invention.

Alternatively, the first solution and first residue may be subjected to the additional processing steps listed below:

6) evaporating the filtrate obtained from the first solution to remove the solvent and obtain a solute designated as fraction A from the particulated mass;

7) subjecting the first residue to treatment with a second solvent such as 75% to 95% ethanol for twelve to thirty-six hours to obtain a second solution and a second residue;

8) filtering the second solution from the second residue to obtain a second filtrate;

9) evaporating the second filtrate to remove its solvent and obtain a solute designated as fraction B from the particulated mass;

10) subjecting the second residue to a third solvents; such as petroleum ether, for twelve to thirty-six hours to obtain a third solution and a third residue, and filtering the third solution from the third residue to obtain a third filtrate;

11) evaporating the third filtrate to remove its solvent and obtain a solute designated as fraction C from the particulated mass; and

12) homogeneously mixing the fractions A, B and C from the particulated mass to obtain a beneficiated plant extract.

In a preferred embodiment, to produce an extract from Ranunculus acris in the form of a decoction, 4 ounces of buttercup plant is mixed with 16 ounces of water or another liquid to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to a boil for about 5-10minutes, removed from the heat and allowed to steep for 10-15 minutes for soft materials and 15-30 minutes for hard materials such as stems, roots, or bark. It is preferable to carry out this process in a non-metallic container. The liquid portion ofthe mixture is then separated and directly used as the extract of the buttercup plant without further processing or evaporating the water contained therein.

Alternatively, if it is desirable to minimize the loss of volatiles from the plant, an infusion can be prepared by, for example, bringing 16 ounces of water to a boil, preferably in a non-metallic container, removing the water from the heat andadding 4 ounces of plant to the boiling water, covering the mixture and allowing the covered mixture to steep for 15-30 minutes for soft materials and 30-60 minutes for hard materials. The plant is then strained off to leave a liquid infusion from theplant, which has a higher content of the plant volatiles than the decoction described above.

A cold extract can be prepared by mixing eight ounces of plant with 10 ounces of water or liquid, allowing the mixture to sit for 8-24 hours and straining the mixture. A cold extract will preserve volatile elements of the plant but will extractonly a minimal amount of salt and bitter elements. Other types of herbal preparations that may be employed can be found, for example, in The Herb Book, Lust, John, pp. 36.varies.41, Bantam Books (1975), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference for the purpose of describing how to make and use herb preparations.

The extract of the present invention may also be prepared by synthetic methods by first identifying one or more of the active compounds in an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family and then applying a suitable synthetic method to producethe one or more active compounds. Thus, the present invention contemplates use of various synthetic methods to provide an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family including chemical synthesis, and biological synthesis methods. Also mixtures ofsynthetic materials and plant extracts may also be employed to, for example, fortify one or more active ingredients of the plant extract.

For example, it is considered that one or more of anemonin, protoanemonin and diterpenoid alkaloids may be important constituents in the extracts obtained from plants of the Ranunculaceae family. Various synthesis methods for making thesecompounds are known to persons skilled in the art and thus can be used to provide an extract in accordance with the present invention.

An extract in the form of juice can be prepared by chopping the fresh plants and/or plant parts into small pieces and pressing to squeeze out the juices. The extraction can be repeated and it may be useful to add a small amount of water to thepressed plant before pressing again. This method is best for extracting the water-soluble elements that are sensitive to heat and or drying in addition to the vitamins and minerals. The juice must be used relatively promptly to avoid loss of essentialcontents and/or fermentation of the juice, or a natural preservative as benzoin could be added to the juice to increase its shelf life. Caution should be exercised in working with the fresh plant since it may be an irritant.

A powder extract can be prepared by drying the entire plant, preferably under low light and in a well-ventilated area. Leaves should preferably be dried on the stems. The dried plants and stems may then be ground by, for example, using mortarand pestle or other suitable implements, until they are reduced to a powder. The powder extract can be used in tinctures, poultices as well as ointments, or the powder extract can be formulated into other types of compositions.

An ointment can be prepared by, for example, mixing one part of the powdered plant to four parts of petroleum jelly or any other suitable carrier for an ointment. Alternatively, an ointment can be prepared by boiling the plant in water to removevolatiles by decoction, straining the water off, and adding the liquid decoction to olive oil, another suitable vegetable oil or any other ointment base. If added to an oil base, it is preferably to simmer until all water has been evaporated and add athickener such as beeswax, as needed, to obtain a firm consistency.

The mixture may then be melted slowly over low heat, stirred until completely blended and a preservative, such as gum of benzoin or a drop of the tincture of benzion per ounce of oil, may be added to help preserve the ointment.

A poultice may be used to apply a remedy to the skin area with moist heat. To prepare a suitable poultice, crush or bruise the plant to a pulpy mass and heat. If using the dried plant a moistened binder such as flour, corn starch, cornmeal andwater or milk, may be used to formulate the poultice. The poultice can be applied directly to the skin or can be spread between two pieces of cloth, moistened and heated and applied to the area desired. The poultice can be used to soothe, irritate, orto draw impurities out of the body, in addition to providing the beneficial effects of the present invention.

The surfactant employed in the composition of the invention may be any surfactant that may suitably be employed in soaps, household cleansing compositions or detergent compositions. Exemplary surfactants that may be employed in the compositionof the present invention may include synthetic detergents, soaps, fatty acid salts, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, alkyl ether sulfates and sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, quaternary ammonium compounds,other anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

The synthetic detergents can be selected from the anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and ampholytic types. Such detergents are well known to those skilled in the detergency art. The most common type of anionic synthetic detergents can be broadlydescribed as the water-soluble salts, particularly the alkali metal salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in the molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and a radical selected from the groupconsisting of sulfonic acid and sulfuric acid ester radicals. Important examples of these synthetic detergents are the sodium, ammonium or potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols produced by reducing theglycerides of tallow or coconut oil; sodium or potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates, in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, especially those of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383, incorporatedherein by reference; sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; sodium or potassium salts of sulfuricacid esters of the reaction product of one mole of a higher fatty alcohol (e.g., tallow or coconut oil alcohols) and about three moles of ethylene oxide; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates with about four units ofethylene oxide per molecule and in which the alkyl radicals contain about 9 carbon atoms; the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide where, for example, the fatty acids are derived fromcoconut oil; sodium or potassium salts of fatty acid amide of a methyl taurine in which the fatty acids, for example, are derived from coconut oil; and others known in the art, a number being specifically set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,486,921,2,486,922 and 2,396,278, incorporated herein by reference.

Nonionic synthetic detergents comprise a class of compounds which may be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic oralkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene radical which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance betweenhydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.

For example, a well-known class of nonionic synthetic detergents is made available on the market under the trade name of "Pluronic." These compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with an hydrophobic base formed by the condensation ofpropylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule which, of course, exhibits water-insolubility has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to 1800. The addition of polyoxyethylene radicals to this hydrophobic portion tendsto increase the water-solubility of the molecule as a whole and the liquid character of the products is retained up to the point where polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product.

Other suitable nonionic synthetic detergents include:

(i) The poyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethyleneoxide, the said ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to 10 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octane, and nonane, forexample.

(ii) Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine--products which may be varied in composition depending upon the balance between the hydrophobic andhydrophilic elements which is desired. Examples are compounds containing from about 40% to about 80% polyoxyethylene by weight and having a molecular weight of from about 5000 to about 11,000 resulting from the reaction of ethylene oxide groups with ahydrophobic base constituted of the reaction product of ethylene diamine and excess propylene oxide, said base having a molecular weight of the order of 2500 to 3000, are satisfactory.

(iii) The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, e.g., a coconut alcohol ethylene oxide condensate having from 10 to 30 moles ofethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol fraction having from 10 to 14 carbon atoms.

Zwitterionic detergents comprise the betaine and betaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groups which form an inner salt giving the molecule both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups over a broad range of pHvalues. Some common examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. Suitable zwitterionic detergent compounds have the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkylradical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 contain from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is an alkylene chain containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and ahydroxyl radical, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sum of the R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 radicals is from about 14 to about 24 carbon atoms.

Amphoteric and ampholytic detergents which can be either cationic or anionic depending upon the pH of the system are represented by detergents such as dodecyl-beta-alanine, N-alkyltaurines such as the one prepared by reacting dodecylamine withsodium isethionate according to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 2,658,072, N-higher alkylaspartic acids such as those produced according to the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 2,438,091, and the products sold under the trade name "Miranol," and described inU.S. Pat. No. 2,528,378, said patents being incorporated herein by reference.

Additional synthetic detergents and listings of their commercial sources can be found in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Ed. 1980, incorporated herein by reference.

Soaps which can be used as the surfactant in the present compositions are alkali metal (e.g., sodium or potassium) soaps of fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 24, preferably from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The fatty acids used inmaking the soaps can be obtained from natural sources such as, for instance, plant or animal-derived glycerides (e.g., palm oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, soybean oil, castor oil, tallow, whale oil, fish oil, tallow, grease, lard and mixtures thereof). The fatty acids can also be synthetically prepared (e.g., by oxidation of petroleum stocks or by the Fischer-Tropsch process).

Alkali metal soaps can be made by direct saponification of the fats and oils or by the neutralization of the free fatty acids which are prepared in a separate manufacturing process. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of themixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium and potassium tallow and coconut soaps.

The term "tallow" is used herein in connection with fatty acid mixtures which typically have an approximate carbon chain length distribution of 2.5% C.sub. 14, 29% C.sub. 16, 23% C.sub. 18, 2% palmitoleic, 41.5% oleic and 3% linoleic (thefirst three fatty acids listed are saturated). Other mixtures with similar distribution, such as the fatty acids derived from various animal tallows and lard, are also included within the term tallow. The tallow can also be hardened (i.e.,hydrogenated) to convert part or all of the unsaturated fatty acid moieties to saturated fatty acid moieties.

When the term "coconut oil" is used herein it refers to fatty acid mixtures which typically have an approximate carbon chain length distribution of about 8% C.sub.8, 7% C.sub.10, 48% C.sub.12, 17% C.sub.14, 9% C.sub.16, 2% C.sub.18, 7% oleic, and2% linoleic (the first six fatty acids listed being saturated). Other sources having similar carbon chain length distribution such as palm kernel oil and babassu oil are included with the term coconut oil.

Exemplary alkyl ether carboxylates include alkyl ethoxy carboxylates having the following general formula:

wherein R.sup.1 is a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, preferably, a C.sub.10 to C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl group, k ranges from about 2 to about 7, and M.sup.+ is a water-solubilizing cation such as an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal,ammonium ion or a mixture thereof.

Exemplary alkyl ethoxylates have the following general formula:

wherein R.sup.2 is a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, preferably, a C.sub.10 to C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl group, and n ranges from about 2 to about 7.

Exemplary alkyl sulfates have the following general formula:

wherein R.sup.3 is a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, preferably, a C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is a water-solubilizing cation such as an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium ion, or a mixture thereof.

The anti-microbial compositions of the present invention comprise an amphoteric surfactant at concentrations ranging from about 0.01% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.05% to about 10%, by weightof the composition.

Amphoteric surfactants useful in the present invention are those having the following general formulae (I) (II), (III), (IV) and (V) and mixtures thereof: ##STR1##

wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted with up to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties and/or 1 glyceryl moiety, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are individuallyselected from alkyl and monohydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is alkylene, or hydroxyalkylene of from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z.sup.1 is a radical selected from carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate,phosphate, or phosphonate, x is 0 or 1, n is from about 1 to about 6, and m is 0 or 1. Preferably, R.sup.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of from 11 to 17 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are individually selected from alkyl groupscontaining of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is alkylene or hydroxyalkylene of from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, Z.sup.1 is a radical selected from carboxylate and sulfonate, x is 0 or 1, n is 1 to 3, and m is 0 or 1. ##STR2##

wherein a is a number from 1 to 4, R.sup.9 is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, hydroxyalkyl or alkylamidoalkyls, and M.sup.2 is hydrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium. ##STR3##

wherein R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 is methyl, ethyl, or hydroxyethyl, and R.sup.11 is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl, or CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)pCONH(CH.sub.2)q, wherein p is 8-22 and q is 1-6. Preferably, R.sup.10 and R.sup.12 are methyl,R.sup.11 is C.sub.10-18 alkyl or alkenyl, p is 11-17, and q is 1-3.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the anti-microbial compositions having general formula (II) are marketed under the trade name MIRANOL and are understood to comprise a complex mixture of species, and can exist in protonated andnon-protonated species depending upon pH with respect to species that can have a hydrogen at R.sup.6. The imidazolinium amphoteric surfactant hereof can be derived via an imidazolinium intermediate.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants of formula (II) are monocarboxylates and dicarboxylates. Examples of these materials include cocoamphocarboxypropionate, cocoamphocarboxypropionic acid, cocoamphocarboxyglycinate (alternately referred to ascocoamphodiacetate), and cocoamphoacetate.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the anti-microbial compositions having general formulae (III) and (IV) include n-alkylaminopropionates and n-alkyliminodipropionates. Such materials are sold under the trade name DERIPHAT by Henkeland MIRATAINE by Miranol, Inc. Specific examples include N-lauryl-beta-amino propionic acid or salts thereof, and N-lauryl-beta-imino-dipropionic acid or salts thereof.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the anti-microbial compositions having general formula (V) are commonly known as amine oxides. Also useful are tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulfoxides. Mixtures of the above amphotericsurfactants can also be used.

The most preferred amphoteric surfactants are amine oxides. Examples of amine oxides particularly useful in the anti-microbial compositions are cocamine oxide, lauramine oxide under the trade name AMMONYX LO, and stearamidopropylamine oxideunder the trade name VAROX 1770.

In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant employed in the invention is a detergent composition, a soap or a mixture of soaps.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the invention may further include an essential oil. In one embodiment, the essential oil that may be included in the composition of the invention may be an essential oil that has antisepticproperties. Exemplary essential oils that have antiseptic properties include tea tree oil, thyme oil, pine oil, and peppermint oil. In another embodiment, the essential oil that may be included in the composition of the invention may be an essentialoil that can facilitate dispersion or dissolution of natural body oil, excretions associated with infection, lymph, lumps of white blood cells, and/or pus. An exemplary essential oil that can facilitate dispersion or dissolution of pus is tea tree oil.

In a more preferred embodiment, the essential oil used in the invention is tea tree oil, which is an essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil is readily available from many commercial sources. Tea tree oil is the oil that is foundwithin the cells of the leaves of tea trees. Clinical trials have confirmed that tea tree oil has anti-fungal, antiseptic, germicidal and anti-microbial properties. Additionally, the antiseptic benefits of the tea tree oil allow its use as a naturalcleaner and disinfectant in a household environment. As mentioned above, tea tree oil is also effective in dissolving and dispersing lumps of white blood cells or pus to reduce or eliminate infections without significantly irritating or damaging thesurround tissues, thereby facilitating wound healing with minimal scarring.

Generally, the ingredients of the composition of the present invention, including a surfactant, an extract from a plant of the Ranunculaceae family, and optionally an essential oil, are combined at effective ratios. In one embodiment, thecomposition of the invention contains 50-99 wt. % of surfactant, based on the total dry weight of the composition. "Dry weight" is generally defined as the weight when the composition or ingredients are substantially free of water or moisture. In thisembodiment, about 0.2 oz. to about 5 oz. of an extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family is included in every 10 oz. of the composition of the present invention, based on dry weight. In a preferred embodiment, every 10 oz. of the composition,based on dry weight, contains from about 0.1 oz. to 0.5 oz. of tea tree oil and about 0.8 oz. to about 2 oz. of an extract of Ranunculus acris, with the bulk of the remainder of the composition being soap.

Depending on the ultimate purpose of the composition, the composition of the invention may include other optional ingredients such as other anti-microbial agents, builders, foam-forming agent, fluorescent brightening agent, solvent, shampoo,coloring agents, thickening agents, polymeric conditioning agents, oil-derived nonionic surfactants, fragrances, cosmetic oils or waxes, skin moisturizing agents, preservatives, free fatty acids such as coconut oil fatty acid, dyes, pigments, vegetablestarches such as corn, potato, rice and tapioca starches, or a mixture of two or more of these additional optional ingredients.

Suitable oil derived nonionic surfactants may include one or more of water soluble vegetable and animal-derived emollients such as triglycerides with a polyethyleneglycol chain inserted; ethoxylated mono and di-glycerides, polyethoxylatedlanolins and ethoxylated butter derivatives.

Suitable preservatives may include one or more of DMDM Hydantoin, Germall 115, methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl esters of hydroxybenzoic acid, EDTA, Euxyl (RTM) K400, natural preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, potassium sorbate and bisabalol;sodium benzoate and 2-phenoxylethanol.

The anti-microbial composition of the invention can be employed in health care, personal care, home care, e.g. for cleaning surfaces, in the textile industry, in food or chemical manufacturing or processing facilities, in the tanning and hideindustries, in agriculture and for environmental protection or reclamation, for example. For these various purposes, the anti-microbial composition of the invention can be formulated into many different forms such as a liquid anti-microbial soap, awaterless anti-microbial soap, a skin cleanser, a surgical scrub, a cleansing composition contained in tissues, towelettes, wipes, swabs, sponges, packs, hand sanitizers, facial protectors and other protective apparel such as gloves and suits used fordecontamination, a liquid anti-microbial spray, pump spray or aerosol, a liquid anti-microbial concentrate, an anti-microbial aerosol spray, a sterilizing solution, an all-purpose cleansing detergent, and bar soap. The anti-microbial composition of theinvention can also be employed for wound care, topical skin care, and oral care. Common procedures, such as molding into a soap bar, powderizing the composition, or diluting the composition with suitable solvents or dispersants, such as deionized water,may be used to produce the above-mentioned forms of anti-microbial compositions based on the composition of the invention.

Other products may include shampoos, rinses, hair conditioners, bath products such as, for example, beads or oils and lotions which can be used as a protective measure prior to exposure to microbes or as a treatment after exposure to themicrobes. The composition of the present invention can also be incorporated into laundry detergents of all types including powders, liquids, gels and tablets, fabric care additives used in laundering fabrics, dishwashing detergents for use by hand orwith dishwashing machines, toilet and bathroom cleaners such as tub, tile and sink cleaners, abrasive cleaners, all purpose cleaning products, glass and other surface cleaners, as well as carpet shampoos, upholstery cleaners and treatments and animalcleaning products. The composition of the invention can also be used in salves and ointments, including over-the-counter products. In addition, the composition of the invention can be used in diapers such as, including training diapers, youth diapers,swim diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene products. Also, surgical drapes and gowns and sterile wraps may contain the composition of the present invention.

The present invention also encompasses a variety of products as mentioned above containing a composition of the invention. These products contain a substrate and have an anti-microbial composition of the invention absorbed or dispersed therein,or associated therewith. The product may be immersed in a solution of the anti-microbial composition of the invention for a suitable amount of time (e.g., between 1 minute to 1 hour) to absorb an effective amount of the composition. The product ispreferably saturated with a solution of the anti-microbial composition of the present invention. In one embodiment, the various products of the invention mentioned above may include only the extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family, optionally inthe form of a solution or a powder. In an alternative embodiment, the various products of the invention mentioned above may include the extract of a plant of the Ranunculaceae family in combination with a surfactant, as described in detail above.

The individual products may be sheets, towels, wipes, swabs, sponges, tissues, etc. made from cellulosic fibers, or non-woven products made from synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl pentene, other polyolefins,polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylenes terephthalate) and polycaprolactam. In a preferred embodiment, the products used in the invention are microporous or contain microporous fibers so that their absorbing efficiency isimproved.

The anti-microbial composition of the invention may be diluted to a suitable concentration with water for absorption onto the products. The ideal concentration of such a solution depends on the ultimate purpose of the products and can besuitably adjusted by a person of ordinary skill in the art using common general knowledge. Alternatively, the anti-microbial compositions of the present invention can be dried to a powder form and associated with the various products mentioned above inpowder form, if desirable.

The individual products generally contain from about 1 to 1000 wt. %, based on the dry weight of the products, of a solution containing a composition of the invention. More preferably, the products contain from about 10 to about 500 wt % , of asolution containing a composition of the invention, based on the dry weight of the products, depending primarily on the concentration of the solution, and most preferably from about 100 to about 300 wt %. The products may be individually packaged insealed packs, or packed as a group in, for example, a re-sealable a plastic container.

To disinfect an object, which is contaminated or potentially contaminated with undesirable or hazardous microorganisms, the composition of the present invention is brought in contact with the object. In one embodiment, a spray containing thecomposition of the invention is applied to the surface of a contaminated object to disinfect the object. In another embodiment, a towelette of the invention is used to wipe the surface of a contaminated object to disinfect the object. In yet anotherembodiment, the extract of the Ranunculaceae family plant can be directly applied to an object for the purpose of disinfection. Any type of extract including infusion, cold extract, powder, decoction, etc. may be employed for this purpose. Alternatively, a formulation, such as an ointment or tincture, may be employed for disinfection.

Objects which may require disinfection include, but are not limited to, air filters, air conditioning systems, ventilation systems, heating systems, gas masks, mass transportion such as buses, trains, planes, etc, public places like restaurants,hotel rooms, building lobbies, places of employment, etc. Also, the present invention can be used in areas where there are hoofed animals such as farms, farm or grazing soils, and slaughterhouses.

The compositions of the present invention, and/or the extract of the Ranunculaceae family plant may also be embedded in, for example, a filter or other similar device and be used to treat filtered air, water, or the like to provide theanti-microbial or anti-microbial effect.

The composition of the invention appears to be effective in exterminating or eliminating a variety of hazardous microorganisms at concentration levels that are safe for use in human or animal environments including bacteria, fungi and othermicrobes. Those microorganisms that can be disinfected using the composition include, for example, anthrax, pneumococci, straphylococci, streptococci, tuberculi and a variety of fungi. In addition, tests have shown that the composition of the inventionmaybe handled with bare hands and may be used as an anti-microbial hand-cleansing agent at effective concentrations without posing an unacceptable risk to the user of the composition.

The composition of the present invention is preferably used in amounts that deliver at least about 2 ppm of anemonin, protoanemonin, diterpenoid alkaloids, or combinations thereof, more preferably, at least about 5 ppm of anemonin, protoanemonin,diterpenoid alkaloids, or combinations thereof, and most preferably at least about 15 ppm of anemonin, protoanemonin, diterpenoid alkaloids, or combinations thereof. It has been found that amounts that deliver 25-200 ppm of, for example, protoanemonin,are generally bactericidal for a variety of common bacteria.

Alternatively, the amount used can be determined based on the extract itself. For example, it is preferably to deliver a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.0 micrograms per milliliter, and more preferably, a minimum inhibitory concentrationof from about 1.0 to about 20.0 micrograms per milliliter, even more preferably, 1.5 to about 15 micrograms per milliliter. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using the dilution assay method.

The upper limit of the amount of the composition of the present invention will depend upon how the extract is made and may be determined by the levels at which toxicity or irritation becomes an issue. Thus, for surface cleansers, very highconcentrations can be employed, whereas for skin cleansers, oral care or other products used for direct contact with humans or animals, lower concentrations will be desirable to avoid irritation or toxicity issues. For example, it has been found thatdosages of protanemonin of 190 mg/kg in a mouse reach the LD.sub.50 limit and dosages of anemonin of 150 mg/kg in a mouse reach the LD.sub.50 limit and thus such high concentrations should be avoided when contact with humans or animals is expected. Useof the term, "safe amount" herein refers to concentrations which are sufficiently below the above-mentioned amounts to avoid toxic effects in humans or animals.

In addition, certain preferred compositions of the invention may act as a solvent to dissolve the lumps of white blood cells, which make pus. In fact, the composition of the invention may also be useful as an antibiotic agent to be applied to aninjured or infected area to help prevent or eliminate infection.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following non-limiting example.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Preparation of Anti-Microbial Composition

In a non-metallic container, 4 oz. of buttercup plant (Ranunculus acris) was mixed with 16 oz. of water. The resulting mixture of herb and water was heated to a boil, boiled for about 5-10 minutes, removed from the heat, and steeped in thewater for about 15-30 minutes to form a solution containing an extract of the buttercup. 1/3 cup of the solution containing the buttercup extract was then added to 16 ounces of soap base and mixed thoroughly to form an anti-microbial composition of theinvention.

Example 2

Preparation of Anti-Microbial Composition

To the composition of Example 1 was added and 2/3 oz. of tea tree oil to prepare a second anti-microbial composition in accordance with the present invention.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of theterms in which the appended claims are expressed.